Benedict Cumberbatch writes heartwarming letter to Santa

Actor asks not for a new toy, but to help extend the 'magic and playfulness' of childhood.

Benedict Cumberbatch has written a heartwarming letter to Santa as part of National Letter Writing Day in the U.K.
(Photo: JStone/Shutterstock)

In honor of National Writing Day in the U.K., actor Benedict Cumberbatch sat down at a desk on Dec. 7, and with the wisdom of his 39 years, he penned a letter to Santa Claus.

To say it's worth reading is hardly worth the effort, since many of you would likely be fascinated by his grocery list. That said, it's a heartwarming appeal to Father Christmas that beautifully touches on the innocence and magic this time of year brings to so many around the world.

A portion of the letter written by Cumberbatch to Santa Claus. (Photo: Benedict Cumberbatch/Letters Live)

"This is what I’d like to ask you to help with," Cumberbatch writes. "A little more time for children to be children. Stretch the moment of magic and playfulness. Distract them from the realities of a world gone mad so that they can laugh with their breath rather than sob with their tears."

Cumberbatch, who recently received an honorary knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II, goes on to explain the importance of Santa Claus, the innocence of childhood, and why all kids deserve a chance to believe. You can read the letter in full — including the one gift the actor still really wants — below.

"Dear Father Christmas,
So my friend has asked me to write to you … I have to confess it’s been hard to know what to say. Mainly because like most adults I feel preposterous asking anything of you because our time with you is surely done. Now we get our own presents, control our own fates, take responsibility for our own actions, and live in the world we have created… so it’s not for us to turn around and plead for your help with the environment, the migrant crisis, the NHS, education, food banks, human rights, fundamentalism and wars. Though God knows we need all the help we can get with all these man-made problems and more.

And it’s not that you aren’t compassionate and full of joy. You’re great. In spite of you being changed into different colours for corporations and being bastardised to represent materialism gone mad — despite probably originating in some season-based pagan druid ritual a million thought miles from requests for spontaneously combusting hoverboards … Kidadults cynically pointing this out after having their moment of belief in you are wasting everyone’s precious time. Because you are not for them. You are for the children. Children who need some magic in a world where the borders between innocence and responsibility, playful imagination and cold, adult obstacles are continually shrinking.

This is what I’d like to ask you to help with. A little more time for children to be children. Stretch the moment of magic and playfulness. Distract them from the realities of a world gone mad so that they can laugh with their breath rather than sob with their tears. Especially those caring for family members, or suffering illness, hunger or poverty. Especially those hiding in buildings as bombs rain down, or being handed shaking with fear or cold into a boat to escape environmental disaster or war. Please help to light up their worlds with a moment of joy and hope.

When I think about it you’ve got it tough this year … And when I really think about it, I’m not sure that asking you for a lightsaber and getting one (not that I ever did, by the way) is equatable with controlling the space time continuum and making the good of childhood last a little longer.

But you do inspire wonder and awe amongst those that write you letters and go to sleep hoping there might be a new object in their possession come dawn. You inspire good behaviour and, at least in my memory, some desperate last-minute attempts to redeem bad behaviour so as not to be overlooked. Spare a thought too for those millions who want to write to you but through illiteracy can’t. Hear their words and help to give them the time and chance to learn how to read and write so they can better their lives and escape their impoverished beginnings.

I feel a little sorry for you. And I guess I’ve done exactly what I said I wouldn’t … Asked you to help with adult problems and solve some of the greatest worries we have for our children. I promise to leave some extra port and mince pies for you!
Lots of love
Benedict x